Greece flour war

For a few hours on a single day every year, the prim and elegant Greek seaside town of Galaxidi explodes into frantic childishness.

Riotous groups of residents pelt each other — and unsuspecting visitors — with bags of dyed flour, in a Holi-like end-of-carnival tradition thought to date back to the town's period of maritime glory more than a century ago.

The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidi's old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidi's flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century.

Lying about 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, the town of about 1,700 people was once a major maritime power whose white-masted sailing ships plied a booming trade around the world.

Revelers take a brake as they celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

However, Galaxidi ship owners failed to adapt to the advent of steam power in the 19th century, and gradually declined. Its traditional stone houses, the upper floor of which was an open area dedicated to sail-repairs during the winter months, attest to its former glories.

Its economic decline spared Galaxidi from the depredations of modernization that swept the country after World War II, with the town only acquiring a good road link to the rest of central Greece in the 1960s. Until then, it remained a kind of island, nominally attached to the mainland, whose outlook was always to the sea.

A local reveler smokes a cigarette as she celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

A local reveler throws flour to celebrate Clean Monday and to mark the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

A reveler looks on as she celebrates "Clean Monday" with "flour war" a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

APTOPIX Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

A local reveler receives bags of flour as he celebrates Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

APTOPIX Greece Flour War

Revelers take a brake as they celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers dance to a traditional Greek song as they celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate "Clean Monday" with "flour war" a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate "Clean Monday" with "flour war" a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

A young couple kiss each other as they celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate "Clean Monday" with "flour war" a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. For a few hours on a single day every year, this prim and old-fashionedly elegant seaside town explodes into frantic childishness. Riotous groups of residents pelt each other - and unsuspecting visitors - with bags of dyed flour, in a Holi-like end-of-carnival tradition thought to date back to the townís period of maritime glory more than a century ago. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

A Local reveler celebrates "Clean Monday" with "flour war" a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

An effigy stand outside a shop during "flour war" a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on clean Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

A local reveler smokes a cigarette as she celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Greece Flour War

A man enters a coffee shop to avoid a "flour attack" as revelers celebrate "Clean Monday" with "flour war" a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Local revelers celebrate Clean Monday with a flour war, a unique colorful flour fight marking the end of the carnival season in the port town of Galaxidi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of Athens, on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015. The flour fight, on the coastal road lining Galaxidiís old harbor, takes place on Clean Monday, the beginning of the 40-day Christian Lent fast that ends on Easter Sunday. Although Clean Monday ceremonies abound across Greece, the most common being kite-flying, Galaxidiís flour-fight is unique, and is thought to have been influenced by similar goings-on in Sicily in the 19th century. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

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